Group queries CNN video

A youth group, Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF), has queried the motive behind the release of the Chibok Girls video by international media network, CNN, on the second anniversary of the girls’ abduction.

It also queried the authenticity of the video.

President of the group, Adamu Adamu, told journalists in Abuja yesterday that from the analysis provided by CNN, the video was shot sometime in December.

He wondered why the network held on to the video for several months and decided to release it on the second year anniversary of the girls’ abduction.

He said as heart breaking as those images from the videos are, they raised a lot of questions.

He said the Nigerian security agencies must probe the authenticity of the video so that it does not end up as a mere movie prop that matters only to the point of boosting viewership and growing ratings.

He said: “Without doubt, there are motives behind the release of the video on the anniversary of the day the girls were abducted. Every Nigerian wants the girls to be freed and united with their families, but we must probe the issues surrounding the video

“Perhaps the intention of CNN is grow its viewership by cashing in on the sensitivity of the missing Chibok girls.

He said while the group appreciates protection of sources as a non-negotiable requirement of journalism, Nigerians would be grateful if CNN is willing to assist the Nigerian authorities by providing information that could lead to the rescue of the girls.